Extension tube torch



P 1961 R. H. HUNTER ETAL 3,001,573

EXTENSION TUBE TORCH Filed April 22, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORSRobe/'2" H-Hun'fe! Abe J. Han e a! BY Harris Jim ff: B W, W

Hm M M Attorneys Sept. 26, 1961 R. H. HUNTER ETAL EXTENSION TUBE TORCH 3SheetsSheet 2 INVENTORS Ruben H. Hun-fer Abe J. Han/e Ml BY Harris WSmH'h BM, 5W,

A Harries s Sept. 26, 1961 R. H. HUNTER EI'AL 3,001,573

EXTENSION TUBE TORCH Filed April 22, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORSfiEn14- Rober'f H.Hun'l'c.r Abe .J. Hanje M BY Harris l/V- Sm/i'h-Bowl-MM, SW,

WWQM United States Patent 3,001,573 EXTENSION TUBE TORCH Robert H.Hunter, Gates MillSyOhiO Hunter Manufacturing Co., 30525 Aurora Road,Solon, Ohio), Abe J. Hanje, Northfield, and Harris W. Smith, Bainbridge,Ohio; said Hanje and said Smith assignors to said Hunter Filed Apr. 22,1957, Ser. No. 654,322 24 Claims. (Cl. 158-33) This invention relates toa fuel burning torch and particularly to a torch of this kind which hasa portable fuel supply tank and detachably connected to it a burnertube, an extension tube, or both.

Liquid fuel burning torches are often used in countries where climaticconditions such as extreme cold make it necessary to use auxiliaryheating aids in starting vehicles, airplanes, tanks and the like.Because, in military operations especially, speed is frequently veryimportant, torches for these purposes must be capable of being readilybrought into juxtaposition to the engines or other parts to be heatedincident to the starting operations. Although other factors such asruggedness, reliability and ease of repair figure prominently among theattributes desired in such torches, a high degree of flexibility of useis an advantage of great importance in such cases.

Circumstances are sometimes such that it is not practicable to bring thefuel reservoir or tank into close proximity to the object to be heatedas, for example, where the size and weight of the reservoir make itawkward to hold the apparatus as a whole in a position in which theflame can play against some relatively inaccessible part. This isparticularly true if the reservoir has a capacity much in excess of aquart, which is regarded as standard for a portable torch for militarypurposes. Under such circumstances, it is desirable to be able tointerpose one or more extension tubes between the reservoir and theburner head or tube, permitting the reservoir itself to rest on theground.

According to the present invention, the torch is so constructed that, ifdesired, the burner tube may be attached directly to the body block ofthe torch. On the other hand, the construction is such that one end ofan extension tube may be applied to the body block in lieu of the burnertube, in which case the other end of the extension tube will ordinarilycarry the burner tube. Two such extension tubes may be used in end toend relation, in which case the burner tube will of course be carried bythe second extension tube. Interchangeability of the burner tube andextension tube or tubes is naturally a desideratum.

The manner of connecting the burner tube to the body block of the torch,or, if an extension tube is used, the manner of connecting the extensiontube to such body block, must be such that the tube may be coupled anduncoupled with a minimum of delay. Frequently the saving of only a fewminutes time in preparing a torch for use may make a great deal ofdifference in the military effectiveness of the vehicle, airplane ortank that it is desired to bring into operation. Therefore, it isvirtually necessary that the coupling system employed for connecting theburner tube to the body of the torch, the extension tube to the body ofthe torch, or the burner tube to the extension tube be one characterizedby simplicity and ease of engagement and disengagement.

With these considerations in mind, the invention provides a torch mixingblock to which is coupled a burner tube or an extension tube forcarrying .a burner tube.

To make this possible, the invention contemplates a mixing block with acoupling face that is substantially plane except where the couplingelements themselves project from it. The metering plugs, valviugelements and controls are so located that they are above or off to thesides of the coupling face. They can readily be reached in case itbecomes necessaryto replace them, adjust the setting, or to make someother changes not directly aifecting the coupling system.

In the preferred form of the invention, as will appear, the couplingsystem makes use of studs projecting from the coupling face of themixing block and, with them, of cooperating bayonet slots in a mountingbase forming part of the burner tube or the extension tube, as the casemaybe.

Although this use of the so-called bayonet joint has much to recommendit, largely because of its simplicity, sturdiness and ease of operation,the substitution of quick-attachable and quick-detachable joints ofother types is not precluded. Apart from simplicity, sturdiness and easeof operation, an important consideration is the attachment anddetachment of the component parts in a minimum of time. It is not somuch the detailed construction of the coupling system as the presence orabsence of the quick-attachable and quick-detachable feature that isdecisive. Other joints possessing this advantage can therefore beexpected to be used in the practice of the invention in lieu of thehereinafter described bayonet joint.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparentfrom the description which 'follows and from the accompanying drawings,forming part of the specification, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan of a liquid fuel burning torch 'incoiporating theinvention;

FIG. 2 is anenlarged detail, partly in elevation, partly in section andwith parts broken away and removed, seen as if from line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section through the control device, seen as iffrom line 3-3 of FIG. 2, with a central portion broken away to a greaterdepth;

FIGURES 4to 7 are sections online 4--4 of FIG. 3, the valviug elementbeing in a different position in each case;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged end view of the nozzle in the burner tube, seen asif from line '88 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an end elevation of the mixing block and associated partsseen as if from line 1010 of FIG. 2, but with the burner tube removed toshow the coupling face of the mixing block;

FIG. 11 is an end elevation of the coupling face of the burner tube onthe same scale as FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the burner tube detachedfrom the mixing block;

FIG. '13 is a view comparable to FIG. 12 showing in detached positionthe end of an extension tube in lieu of the burner tube;

FIG. 14 is a view related to FIG. 13 showing the op posite end of theextension tube with the burner tube mounted in place;

FIG. 15 is a general side elevational view of a reduced scale showing anextension tube connecting the liquid fuel tank and the burner tubeassembly;

FIG. 16 is an enlargement, partly in longitudinal section, of the burnertube assembly of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an end elevation substantially on line 17-17 of FIG. 16 andenlarged with respect to that figure;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged sectional detail seen as if from line .1818 ofFIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a, longitudinal section through the neck is afiixedto it by aset screw 32. V accommodating a coil spring 34 is provided by acounter-' bore in the mixing block 9, the spring being compressedreservoir or tank is designated 1. In torches of this type,

the tank top often has a flat area 2 flanked by downwardly inclinedareas 3 and 4. The latter extend oppositely to each other, as appearsfrom FIG. 3. On one of them, area 3 of FIG. 1, is located a pump 5 whichprojects into the interior of the tank for building up air pressurewithin the tank preparatory to starting the torch.

vOn area 4 are a pressure gauge 6 and a pressure relief valve 7.Extending horizontally and in vertically spaced relation above flat area2 is a burner tube 8 attached to a vertically extended mixing block 9,seen to advantage in FIGURES 2 and 3,

Upper portion 11 of mixing block 9 is square in cross section, althoughit may, if desired, have a cross section of different shape. Forconvenience, lower portion 12 is of cylindrical cross section. Acylindrical adapter 13,

mounted in airtight engagement with the tank top, re- I ceivescylindrical portion 12. The latter is held in place by means of setscrews IQ. As is apparent from FIG- URES 2 and 3, thereare, sealingmeans between cylindrical portion 12 and adapter 13, the same taking theform of an O-ring 14 held captive in a peripheral groove in cylindricalportion 12. When the parts are assembled in proper relation, the O-ring14 helps prevent the escape of fluid, Whether air,-fuel,.or a mixture ofthe two, between the cylindrical portion 12 and the adapter 13.

Offset somewhat from the vertically extending longitudinal axis ofmixing block 9 are two fluid-flow passages, one for air and one forfuel.These take the form of longitudinal bores 15 and 16 extending upwardfrom the lower end of the mixing block. At such lower end, bottom face19 of the mixing block 9 is flat except where the ends of bores 15 and16 are respectively surrounded by circular recesses 17 and 18. Sealingmeans taking the form of O-rings 21 and 22 are located in recesses 17and 18, respectively. These O-rings cooperate with and seal againstupwardly directed flat surface 23 of a rotary valving element 24 locatedimmediately below flat lower face 19 of the mixing block 9. The valvingelement 24 is cylindrical but of such shallow altitude that it may, ifdesired, be regarded as'a disk; It is aligned with cylindrical portion12 of mixing block 9 and confined by the depending skirt of the adapter13 within which it is received. Between valving element 24 and adapter13 are sealing means 25, the same taking the form of an O-ring locatedin a peripheral groove in valving element 24. Ofiset radially from thelongitudinal or vertical axis of valving element 24 and angularly spacedabout such axis are two fluid-flow passages, the

' same taking the form of bores 26 and27 which by rotative movement ofvalving element 24 can be made to register with and constituteextensions of previously described bores 15 and 16.

From the flat lower face 29 of valving element 24, a

fuel supply tube 28 extends downward into the interior 7 A chamber 33for between an internal shoulder 35 at the base of the spring chamber 33and a shoulder 36 formed on valve stem 31 4 in the central zone of themixing block at the juncture of the large and small diameter portions ofthe stem. Above the shoulder 36, large diameter portion 37 of the valvestem extends upwardly through and beyond the upper end of mixing block9. To it is fastened valveactuating handle 38 which, as indicated inFIG. 1, is provided with indicia for registry with a fixed pointer 39 onthe rear end of the burner tube 8.

With the torch out of operation and handle 38 in the 05 position shownin FIG. 1, valving element 24 is in the position illustrated by means ofthe dotted line representationof bores 26 and 27 in FIG. 4. With theparts in this relation to each other, the bores 26 and 27 are 7 .out ofregistry with recesses,17 and 18 at the lower end build up the airpressure in the tank.

When the torch is to be ignited, a mixture of air and fuel is suppliedto the mixing block. Handle 38 is rotated to the extent necessary tobring bores 26 and 27 into alignment with recesses 17 "and 18,respectively. This state of affairs is represented in FIG. 6. It is alsoshown in FIG. 3, from which it will be apparent that both air and fuelcan pass upwardly through valving element 24 into bores 15 and 16 in themixing block. At this stage the torch can be ignited instantly inaccordance with the principles described in prior application for patentSerial Number 457,803, filed September 23, 1954, in the names of Abe I.Hanje and Robert H. Hunter for Instant Flame Torch, now US. Patent2,940,674, dated June 14, 1960.

As the torch operates, the pressure within the fuel storage tank 1progressivelydecreases and it, becomes necessary to operate the pump 5fron1 time to time to charge the'tank with an additional quantity of airto take the place of fuel and air released through the mixing blockpassages 15, 16 and the nozzle 75.

The pressure maintained within the fuel tank 1 governs the burning rateof the torch. Normallya pressure within the range of from about 40pounds per square inch to about pounds per square inch is used. Highcombustion rates are obtained by maintaining pressures at the high endof such range and low combustion rates are obtained by maintaining fueltank pressures at or toward the low end of such range. It is, of course,feasible to operate the torch using pressures lower than 40 pounds persquare inch and higher than 60 pounds per square inch, mentioned asdelineating the preferred range. When using the thermostaticallycontrolled burner described in connection with FIGS. 15-20 the airsupply to the nozzle is cut off by turning the control elements tothefuel or gasoline only position shown in FIG. 7 as soon as the generatorcoil 116 is up to fuel vaporizing temperature. Thus with thethermostatic ar rangement depletion of the fuel tank airis eliminated.To extinguish the torch the fuel supply is cut otf and air underpressure is admitted to the mixing block 9 from 1 the tank 1. Toaccomplish this, the handle 38 is rotated to move the parts into therelative positions indicated in FIG. 5. Here there is a lack of registrybetween the fuel bore 27 and the inside of the O-ring 22 in the recess18; on the other hand, there is at least partial registry betweenthe airbore 26 and the interior of the O-ring 21 seated in the recess 17. Thusair under pressure can pass through the air bore 26 in the valvingelement 24 into the recess 17 and the bore 15 in the mixing block 9 tosnuff the flame. The handle 38 is then turned to off, closing the portsas in FIG. 4.

By means of stops (not shown) that limit rotative clockwise andcounterclockwise movement of the handle 38, it is possible to confinerotation of the handle to an arc of not more than about 45. Thus whenthe handle has moved counterclockwise into the fuel only positionillustrated in FIG. 7, sucha stop comes into operation to precludefurther counterclockwise rotative moveaoensrs ment of the handle.Following reverse movement in the opposite or clockwise direction, astop acts to detain the parts in the position of FIG. 4 and prevent theparts from assuming unintended positions. Movement of handle 38 may thusadvantageously be limited to the range that intervenes between theextremes illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 7.

Referring now to FIG. 3, which shows the parts so related to each otheras to permit both air and fuel to pass into the mixing block, it will benoted that bores 15 and 16 extend upward nearly to the top of the mixing block. Short of the top they intersect a transverse opening 41 thatextends through the mixing block from one side to the other. Thisopening is tapped at least at its ends to permit it to accommodatesuitable means for metering the air, fuel, or mixture of air and fuelthat at any given time is being supplied through the bores 15 and 16.

Metering plug 42 serves to control the dew of air arriving through bore15. Among other, things, it is characterized by a hexagonal head 43, byan intermediate portion 44 of reduced diameter, and by a passage 45, allarranged as shown in FIG. 3. When metering plug 42 is in place in thethreaded passage 41 in the mixing block 9 with head 43 hearing againstthe side of the mixing block, there is communication between the bore 15and the metering passage 45 through the annular chamber which adjoinsreduced portion 44. Metering plug 42 is representative, beinginterchangeable with other metering plugs of like shape in which thepassage 45 is of smaller or greater diameter, as required to providedifferent air rates.

On the opposite side of the mixing block and axially aligned with theplug 42 is a metering plug 46 for controlling the flow of fuel admittedby way of the bore 16. Metering plug 46 has a hexagonal head 47 thatseats against the side of the mixing block, an intermediate portion 48of reduced diameter, and a fluid flow passage 49 arranged as shown. Bore16 and the passage 49 communicate with each other through the annularspace which surrounds reduced portion 48. Like metering plug 42, themetering plug 46 is interchangeable with other plugs having passages 49of greater or lesser diameter as required to provide different fuelrates or to accommodate fuels of different viscosities.

Metering plugs 42 and 46 are of such length as to leave between them amixing chamber 51, such chamber forming part of the transverse opening41. To intercept the jets of fuel and air and thereby improve the mixingand to control the flow of fluid out of the mixing chamber 51, a thirdmetering plug 52 is provided, the axis of which extends at right anglesto the axis of metering plugs 42 and 46. Metering plug 52 ischaracterized by a hexagonal head 53, a threaded body portion 54 whichfits into a correspondingly tapped opening in the upper end of themixing block 9, and a tapered or needle valve end portion 55. The headof the metering plug 52 may seat on the mixing block 9, beingreplaceable, if needed, by a metering plug having a needle valve endportion of greater or lesser length, or the metering of thefiuid flowout of the mixing chamber may be regulated by screwing the plug 52 intoand out of the threaded bore provided.

Below the needle valve end portion 55 a correspondingly shaped valveseat 56 is formed in the mixing block 9. A short vertical passage 57connects the valve seat 56 with a transverse passage 58 that is tappedas shown in FIG. 2. Normally, valve 55 does not seat against valve seat56, there being between the two an annular clearance of generallyfrustoconical shape. At the outer end of the transverse passage 58 isapertured jet fitting 59 through which the fuel or mixture of air andfuel proceeds out of mixing block 9. The fitting 59 is formed as shownand is threaded into the outer end of the transverse passage 58. Oncoupling face 61 of the mixing block to which the burner tube 8 isattached, the bluntly d apered nd po tion of the fit ing 59 p ci s for adistance out of the mixing block.

The coupling face 61 is generally flat but provided with means to whichmay be attached the proximate end of the burner tube or, if desired, theproximate end of an extension tube which may intervene between themixing block and the burner tube. As appears from FIGURES 1 0 and '12,the coupling face 61 is provided with two suitably located parallelstuds 62, one above and one below the fitting 59. Studs 62, normal tothe block face 61, are headed as at 63. They are received in and engagedby a suitably formed and complementally apertured mounting base 64 whichforms part of burner tube 8; see FIGURES 2 and 12. Mounting base 64 hasa flat coupling face 65 adapted to mate with the coupling face on themixing block.

The burner tube 8 is formed with an end flange or reduced diametercylindrical portion 66 that bears endwise against a cooperating shoulderon the mounting base 64. The burner tube and mounting base are heldtogether by drive screws shown in FIG. 11. Body portion 67 of theburningtube is provided with ports 63 for the inspiration of air.Mounting base 64 is provided with two arcuately curved bayonet slots 69formed as indicated in FIG. 11 concentric to the axis of the jet fitting59. When the burner tube 8 is to be attached to the mixing block 9, thewide portions of bayonet slots 69 are brought into juxtaposition to andalignment with the headed studs 62, after which the burner tube is urgedagainst the mixing block. .Upon being rotated in the proper direction,the mounting base 64 becomes tightly engaged against the mixing blockand interlocked with studs 62, the headed portions of the studs beingengaged against the inside face of the mounting base 64.

It will be noted from FIGURES 2 and 12 that the mounting base or block64 carries an G-ing 71 in a circular recess 72 that is located centrallyof the coupling face 65. Extending forwardly from such recess is a shortaxial bore 73 which communicates with a tapped coaxial opening 74 ofgreater diameter. Screwed in place in the latter is a nozzle 75, seenalso in FIGURES 8 and 9, having a generally hexagonal body portion 76.On one side thereof is a threaded attaching boss '77 provided with anaxial bore 78. In body portion 76 is a hollow 79 the side walls of whichare continued outwardly by a cylindrical thin shell extension 80 of thebody 76 that is laterally apertured at 81; see FIGURES 8 and 9.Apertures 81 diametrically opposite each other admit air to the interiorof the nozzle 75, where it combines with the fuel delivered to theburner tube.

Quick detachment of the burner tube 8 and quick attachment of theproximate end of an extension tube 85 in place thereof is an importantadvantage characterizing the bayonet joint making use of the studs 62and the bayonet slots 69. In a typical case the extension tube 85 willconsist, along with other pmts, of a flexible metal cable 86 enclosing athin-walled metal tube 37. At the end of the extension tube 85, shown inFiG. 13, is a mounting base or block 88 that is generally similar to theprevious described mounting base 64 at the end of the burner tube 8. Itis provided with bayonet slots 89, similar to the bayonet slots 69, andhas a flat coupling face 99 interrupted by a central recess 91 for thereception of O-ring 92.

Interiorly of recess 91 is an axial bore 93 which extends forwardly intoand through a boss 94 that is formed integrally with the body portion ofthe mounting base 88. To the outside surface of the tube 85 is brazed adouble tapered sleeve 95 that intervenes between the end of theexternally threaded boss 94 and an interior flangelike part 96 of aspecial tubular end fitting 97; see FIG. 13. At its forward end, fitting97 has a cylindrical hol low or counterbore 98 in which'flexible metalcable 86 is secured as by soldering, the other 9r rear end of the 7fitting being internally threaded and screwed onto the boss 94.

' At the opposite end of the extension tube 85 is an end fitting 101that is generally similar to the end fitting 97; see FIG. 14. Endfitting 101 receives a threaded boss 102 that is formed as an integralpart of a mounting base a I or block 103 which, at its outer end, has aflat coupling face from which project two studs 104, each headed as at105. Centrally of the mounting base 103 between the studs 104 andcoaxial with the externally threaded attaching boss 102 is an aperturedfitting '106 that is similar to the fitting 59 '(FIG. 2). A bore 107intervenes between the fitting 106 and the proximate end of the metaltube 87 projecting into a coaxial counterbore in the boss 102 from theextension tube 85. That end of the extension tube 85 of which thefitting 101 forms a part is surrounded by a hollow grasping member 108of cylindrical tubular form afiixed as by drive screws to the mountingbase 103 which it embraces. As appears from FIGURES and 16, the graspingmember or handle extends rearwardly for a considerable distancesufiicient to provide a convenient hand hold, terminating in a portion109 of reduced diameter which if desired may be fastened to metal cable86. as by a set screw 110.

If, as in FIGURES 15 and 16, an extension tube intervenes between thetank and the burner tube, the latter maybe coupled to mounting base 103in the manner shown in FIGURE 14. Provided that the studs 104 on themounting base 103 are of the same length as and'disposed similarly tothe'studs 620m the mixing block 9, the burner tube 8 may be attached tothe mounting base 103 in the same manner in which it may be attached tothe mixing block 9: compare FIGURES 2 and l4. Thus the burner tube 8 maybe used in two ways, either directly on the mixing block 9 (FIGS. 1-3and 12) or at the remote end of an extension tube which may be coupledto the mixing block 9, as indicated in a general way in FIGURES 13, 14.

FIGURE 15 shows a shielded burner head and tube of somewhat differentconstruction from that of FIGURES 2, 11 and 12. The details are moreclearly revealed in FIGURES 16 to 20,.inclusive. Not only is burnertube112 shielded as by shroud 111 in the interests of more efiicientutilization of the flame, but it incorporates a generating system 115 bywhich the fuel may be preheated before beingadmitted to the nozzle. Aburner of this general type is shown and described in prior applicationSerial No. 479,074, filed December 31, 1954, in the names of Robert H.Hunter, Abe J. Hanje and Harris W. Smith, now US. Patent 2,940,515,dated June 14,

The metal shroud or shield 111 is held to the burner tube 112 by screws114 and consists of an upper portion 113a and a lower portion 113!) heldtogether by brazing and which overlap as indicated at 1130 (FIG- URE17). The generating system 115 includes a heater in the form of ahelical tubular coil 116 at the discharge end of'the'burner tube 112 towhich heater fuel is fed and from which it is withdrawn by metalconduits 117 and 118, respectively; These conduits are positioned onopposite sides of a bracket 119 that is fast to head block 130 that alsoreceives the'neck of the burner tube. The manner of operation of coil116, together with the role of the conduits 117 and 118, is described inthe abovementioned prior application, Serial No. 479,074.

Bracket 119 incorporates a laterally offset forwardly extending portion120 on which, underthe burning tube 112, is mounted a bushing 121supporting a transverse pivot pin 122; see FIGURE 18. Attached to theopposite ends of'the pivot pin 122 to turn therewith are metal pods 1 23and 124, in which are received and to which are soldered the'ends of theconduits 117 and 118. In order to adjust the position of the heater 116of the generating system 115 with respect to the burner tube 112, alever arm 125 is welded or otherwise secured at its rear side as thecoupling face.

8 end to pivot pin 122; see FIGURE 18. At its free forward end, leverarm 125 carries a laterally extending portion 126 through which'passesan upwardly directed captive adjusting screw 127.

The upper end of the screw is held in a manner perrnitting rotation butnot axial movement in a laterally extending horizontal flange portion128 projecting from the offset portion of the bracket 119. When thescrew 127 is turned, as by means of a screw driver, laterally extendingportion 126 of the lever arm is caused to swing up or down, 'with.consequent rotative movement of the pivot pin 122, pods 123 and 124, andarcuate swinging movement of the flexible conduits 117 and 118. Thus thecoil 116 is moved toward or away from the axis of the burner tube 112.The screw 127 extends downwardly through an opening in the shroud 111 soas to be accessible externally 'of the latter.

Extending rearwardly from the main or body portion of the burner tube112 is a neck portion which is received about and made fast to a headblock The latter is somewhat longer than the corresponding block 64which carries the burner tube 8 of FIGURE 14. The head 130 is formedwith arcuately curved bayonet slots 132 to receive either the studs 62of the mixing block 9 or the studs 104 of the extension assembly block103. The forward ends of the slots are milled or bored to a larger crosssectional area, as indicated at 133, in the provision of shoulders 134engageable by the stud heads 63 or 105. The bayonet slots 132 are thusadapted to receive the studs on the coupling face of either the mixingblock 9 or the mounting base 103 at the end of the extension tube 85.When the mounting blocks or bases 103 and 130 are coupled together,heads 105 on studs 104 bear against the shoulders 134.

Mounting base block 130 is further'provided with axial non-continuousbores 135 and 136 arranged as shown in FIGURES 19 and 20. The formerreceives fuel from the apertured fitting 106 at the near end ofextension tube 85; the latter delivers it to nozzle 137. The two bores135, 1 36 do not communicate directly with each other; instead, they arerespectively connected to radial bores 138 and 139 which are axiallyspaced and disposed in diflferent axial planes. The bores138, 139 haveenlarged outer ends in which are received tubes 141 and 142, that extendforwardly to the pods 123 and 124. The flow of fuel is from the fitting106 to the bore 135 (rubber O-ring 187 sealing the joint) to bore 138 totube .141 to pod 123 to the conduit 117 to the coil 116, where thedirection of flow is reversed. Return flow is from the coil 116 to theconduit 118 to the pod 124 to the tube 142 to the radial bore 139 toaxial bore 136 to the nozzle 137.

If circumstances make it desirable, burner tube 112 may readily bedetached from the extension tube 85, this being done by simply takinggrasping member 108 and the head block 130 in the hands and turning themin opposite directions to release the studs '104. Extension tube 85 maybe detached from the mixing block 9 by a similar operation performed inthe zone' in which the mounting base 88 of the extension tube 85 iscoupled to the mixing block 9. Thereafter the burner tube 112 may, ifdesired, be applied to the mixing block 9 in place of the burner tube 8.Although the assembly comprising the burner tube 112 includes generatingsystem 115, it may be coupled directly to the mixing block 9, beingsubstitutable for the burner tube 8.

Thus the invention provides ways and means for coupling and uncouplingthe mixing block 9 and the burner tube 8, for susbtituting for thelatter the burner tube assembly 112 or, if desired, the extension tube85. If the latter is used, either the burner tube 8 or the shieldedburner tube 112 may be used with it. The mixing block itself is sodesigned that one of its sides is free of metering plugs and the like,thus permitting the use of this This becomes possible'as a result oflocating the valving element at the bottom of the mixing block andlocating the metering plugs above and to the sides of the coupling face.

In accordance with the patent statutes the principles of the presentinvention may be utilized in various ways, numerous modifications andalterations being contemplated, substitution of parts and changes inconstruction being resorted to as desired, it being understood that theembodiments shown in the drawings and described above are given merelyfor purposes of explanation and illustration without intending to limitthe scope of the claims to the specific details disclosed.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

l. A control device for a fuel burning torch comprising a mixing blockhaving a bore extending therethrough; a journaled valve stem therein andhaving two oppositely directed parts at least one of which projects outof the mixing block; grasping means outside the mixing block fast on aprojecting part of the valve stem for turning the latter; a valvingelement fast on the other end of the valve stem and rotatable therewithrelative to the block; said valving element and block being formed withconfronting faces symmetric about the rotational axis of the stem; fluidflow passages in the valving element; fluid flow passages in the mixingblock; the block and element passages terminating in ports openingthrough the confronting surfaces, the block and element ports beingmovable into and out of registry upon rotative movement of the elementrelative to the block; a mixing chamber in the mixing block incommunication with said block fluid flow passages; and metering meansmounted in the block for facile removal and replacement, said meteringmeans being interposed between the block passages and the mixing chamberto control the flow of fluid into the mixing chamber.

2. A control device as in claim 1 in which the block is formed with anoutlet passage ported to the mixing chamber and a needle valve iscarried by the block in adjustable relation and projects across themixingchamber to- Ward the outlet passage port. I

3. A control device as in claim 1. in which the metering means includemetering plugs screwed into the block where the fluid flow passagescommunicate with the mixing chamber.

4. A control device for a fuel burning torch comprising a mixing blockelement having a bore extending therethrough; a stem in the bore androtatable therein; a valving element on one end of the stem, said blockand valving elements having confronting surfaces symmetrical about thestem axis; fluid flow passages in the valving element; fluid flowpassages in the mixing block element; said passages opening throughports in the confronting surfaces, the valving element ports beingmovable into and out of registry with the block element ports uponrotation of the valving element relative to the block element; a mixingchamber in the mixing block in communication with said block fluid flowpassages; an outlet passage in the block element and ported into themixing chamber; and metering means controlling the flow of fluid intoand out of the mixing chamber.

5. A control device as in claim 4 in which sealing means located betweenthe confronting surfaces connect the fluid flow passages in the mixingblock element to those in the valving element when the ports areregistered.

6. In combination in a fluid fuel burning torch system, a tank forcontaining a fluid fuel and an overlying body of air under pressure; ablock fast on the tank and formed with an internal mixing chamber, theblock being formed with separate fuel and air passages communicatingwith the mixing chamber, conduit means connecting the fuel passage withthe interior of the tank at the bottom of the latter for supplyingpressurized fuel to the chamber, conduit means connecting the airpassage with the interior of the tank at the top of the latter forsupplying air under pressure to the chamber; metering means in each said10 fuel and air passages to regulate the flow of fuel and 'air into themixing chamber; a burner base block, a combustion tube mounted on theburner base block, a flexible conduit assembly connecting the burnerbase block to the mixing chamber block to receive mixed fuel and airfrom the latter; said conduit assembly comprising a flexible tubularconductor and receiving and delivering blocks on its opposite ends,connecting means comprising mating elements on the mixing and receivingblocks securing them together in face to face relation as a mating pairand for facile detachment and reconnection, the mixing and receivingbloc-ks being formed with passages opening through the meeting faces ofthe blocks in registered relation, such registered pasage in the mixingblock extending to the mixing chamber to receive fluid fuel from thelatter,

the registered passage in the receiving block extending to and beingcontinuous with the passage in the conduit to deliver received fuel intothe latter, nozzle means carried by the burner base block and disposedto project fuel into the combustion tube, connecting means comprisingmating elements securing the delivering and burner base blocks togetheras a mating pair for facile disengagement and re-engagement, thedelivering and burner base blocks having complemental meeting facesdisposed against one another, the delivering and burner base blocksbeing formed with internal passages that register with one another inthe plane of the meeting faces of the blocks, sealing means carried byone block of each of the pairs of mating blocks for establishing fluidseals between the blocks about the registered openings, and the matingelement of the connecting means of the mixing block being complementalto the mating elements of both the receiving and the burner base blockswhereby upon disconnection of the receiving block from the mixing blockand of the burner base block from the delivering block the burner baseblock is readily attachable to the mixing block for optional use of thesystem without the flexible conduit assembly, the registering passage inthe burner base block being continuous with the registering passage inthe mixing block upon connection of the burner base block to the mixingblock.

7. A control device as in claim 1 in which the mixing block is formedwith a fluid flow passage leading out of the mixing chamber and openingthrough the block in a discharge orifice.

8. A control device as in claim 1 in which the grasping means isprovided with indicia for revealing the position of the valving elementin relation to the mixing block.

9. A control device as in claim 5 in which at least one of theconfronting surfaces is formed with at least one cylindrically walledrecess surrounding one of the ports and the sealing means is located insuch recess.

10. A control device as in claim 9 in which the sealing means takes aform of a resilient deformable O-ring circumferentially embraced by thecylindrical wall of the recess.

11. 'In a torch a control device comprising a block ele-' ment formedwith an internal mixing chamber and fuel and air passages communicatingwith said chamber, a valve element, means mounting the valve element onthe block element for relative rotative movement about a predeterminedaxis, said elements being formed with confronting juxtaposed surfacesmovable rotatively one relative to the other upon relative rotation ofthe elements, said valve'element being formed with fuel and air passagesopening individually through a pair of spaced ports in said surface ofthe valve element, said fuel and air passages in the block elementopening individually through a pair of spaced ports in said surface ofthe block element, the fuel passage ports of the block and valveelements being disposed to register with one another while the air portsare out of communication in one relative position of the elements tocommunicate the block element fuel passage with the valve element fuelpassage, the air passage ports of the block and valve elements beingdisposed to register with .oneanother while the fuel tween the elementsand in all relative positions providing circular seals about one of theair ports and one of the fuel ports, means for mounting the block innon-rotative hermetically sealed relation on a tank adapted to containliquid fuel and air under pressure and with the valve element exposed tothe contents of the tank, a conduit connected to the fuel passage in thevalve element and depending from the latter to extend into fuelcontained in such a tank, the air passage in the valve element beingopen through the latter at a point exposed to air in such a tank wherebyair and fuel therein are respectively supplied under pressure to the airand fuel passages of the valve element, a discharge passage in the blockelement leading out of the mixing chamber and opening through the blockelement at a point outside such a tank, means having connection with thevalve element and actuatable to-rotate it and thereby selectivelyposition the elements in any one of said one, other or third relativepositions, and the block element having means for attachment thereto ofmeans adapted to receive air, fuel or a fuel-air mixture from theopening of the discharge passage.

12. In a torch control device as set forth in claim 11 one of theconfronting surfaces being formed with a circular recess having a bottomsurrounding and constituting a terminus for one of the ports therein andsaid sealing means "comprising a'resilient deformable O-ring in saidrecess about such one port and making another circular contact with theother of the confronting surfaces, said O-ring being held captive insaid recess whereby upon relative rotative movement of the elements saidother circular contact of the O-ring migrates over and maintains contactwith said other surface, and in one of the relative positions of theelements said other circular contact of the O-ring being in surroundingrelation to another of the ports.

13. In a torch control device as set forth in claim 11 the surface ofthe block element being formed with circular recesses having bottomssurrounding the air and fuel ports of the block element, said sealingmeans comprising resilient deformable O-rings disposed one in each ofsaid recesses, said O-rings each making one circular contact with thebottom of the recess in which it is disposed and about the port thereinand each making another circular contact with the surface of the valveelement, said recesses having cylindrical walls confining and holdingcaptive the O-rings whereby during said relative rotative movement theG-rin'gs migraterover the surface of the valve element while maintainingsaid other circular contacts, and said other contacts of the O-ringsbeing in surrounding relation to the fuel and air ports of the valveelement when the elements are disposed respectively in said one and saidother positions.

14. in a torch control device asset forth in claim 11 the mounting meanscomprising a tubular member having internal cylindrically surfacedportions, the block and valve elements being received within the tubularmember and being formed with coaxial, cylindrical external surfacessurrounded by said surface portions of the tubular member on concentricrelation, a pair of resilient deformable O-rings, one of said O-ringssurrounding and sealing against the block element and the othersurrounding and sealing against the valve element, and said O-rings eachbeing in circular sealing contact with one of the cylindrical surfaceportions of the mounting member and sealing off the interface betweenthe elements against ingress and egress of fluids.

15. In a torch the combination comprising a mixing block formed with amixing chamber and having means defining a fluid passage incommunication with the chamber; means carried by the block controllingthe flow of fluid through the chamber; the mixing block having anexternal, substantially planar. coupling face formed with aridsourrounding an'outlet,the fluid passage extending betweenthe chamberand the face and being continuous with the outlet; a combustion tubeassembly comprising a mounting base provided with a-substantially planarcoupling face mating with thetcoupling face on the mixing block inconfronting relation, a combustion tube secured to the base andproviding 'a combustion chamber, nozzle means having a fuel orifice, thenozzle means being mounted on the base for projection of fuel from saidorifice into the combustion chamber along a predetermined axis; saidassembly including means defining a passage in the base having an inletin and surrounded by the coupling face of the base; means coupling thecombustion tube assembly to the block for facile removal andreplacement, said coupling means being adapted to eifect said couplingwith said inlet automatically registering with the outlet when theassembly is coupled to the block; and said base passage being adapted toreceive fuel from said outlet and conduct the same under pressure to thenozzle means for said projection.

16. In a torch combination as defined in claim 15, said coupling meanscomprising on one of said block and base means defining a bayonet slotelongated circumferentially about the fuel projection axis and on theother of said block and base stud means receivable in such slot anddisposed in generally parallel relation to such axis, and said slotdefining means and aid stud means each being oriented in predeterminedposition about said axis whereby in so e 'fecting said coupling of thecombustion tube asreceivable in the slots, the studs being parallel toand radially spaced from the axis, and said slots and said studseachbeing oriented in predetermined positions about said axis whereby in soeffecting said coupling of the combustion tube assembly to the blockseating of the studs in the'slot ends automatically locates the base inpredetermined rotative position relative to the block.

' 18. In a torch combination as defined in claim 15, a resilientdeformable cushioning and sealing annulus recessedtin one of thecoupling faces in surrounding relation to one of the passages andadapted to be compressed in coupling the base to the block to seal theinlet and the outlet and to react againstthe hlockand base with aseparating force,' and said coupling means being adapted to resist suchseparating force.

19. In a torch combination as defined in claim 15, the coupling facesbeing formed one with a recess and the other with a locatingprotuberance receivable in the recess in assembly, and said recess andprotuberance being coaxial to one another and to the inlet and theoutlet.

20. In a torch combination as defined in claim 15, the coupling facesbeing formed one with a recess and the other with a' locatingprotuberance receivable in the recess in assembly, said recess andprotuberance being coaxial to one another and to the inlet and theoutlet, and a resilient deformable sealing annulus disposed in therecess, said annulus being engaged and compressed by the protuberance inthe coupling of the base to the block.

21. In a torch comprising a block element formed with a mounting faceand an internal fuel passage, having an axis-normal to such face, theblock element defining an outlet opening through said face andcommunicating with the passage, burner means for receiving and burningfuel discharged from the outlet, said burner means including a baseelement formed with a mounting face receivable against the face of theblock element and, wholly supported by the base element, nozzle meanshaving an orifice through which fuel received in the nozzle underpressure is projected along an axis which coincides with the axis of theblock passage, said base element having an internal passage coaxial tothe block passage and opening through its mounting face in the provisionof an axial entry aligned with said outlet, the base element passagebeing continuous from the entry to the fuel projecting orifice, andquick detachable fastening means of separable parts carried, one by theblock element and the other by the base element and holding the elementstogether for easy demounting and remounting of the burner means from andonto the block element, said fastening means being spaced radially fromand symmetric about the outlet and the entry and being adaptedautomatically to align the entry with the outlet and to orient andretain the elements in predetermined rotative positions relative to oneanother about said axis.

22. In a torch as defined in claim 21 the fastening means comprisingstud means fast to one of the elements and means on the other of theelements formed with arcuate slot means adapted to receive the studmeans in captive relation to hold the elements against axial separation,and the stud means being engageable with the means having the slot meansat the ends of the slot means to limit relative rotative movement of theelements.

23. In a torch as defined in claim 22 a resilient deformable sealingcushion disposed between the mounting faces of the elements insurrounding relation to said passage axis, said cushion being compressedin mounting the burner means on the block element to thereby effect aseal between the elements, and the compressed cushion reacting axiallyagainst the elements, loading the stud means axially and augmenting thefriction between the parts of the fastening means.

24. In a torch the combination comprising a mixing block formed with amixing chamber and a fluid passage in communication with the chamber;means carried by the block controlling the flow of fluid through thechamher; the mixing block having an external, substantially planarcoupling face formed with and surrounding an outlet, the fluid passageextending between the chamber and the face and being continuous with theoutlet; a combustion tube assembly comprising a mounting base providedwith a substantially planar coupling face, a combustion tube secured tothe base and providing a combustion chamber, nozzle means having a fuelorifice, the nozzle means being mounted on the base for projection offuel from such orifice into the combustion chamber along a predeterminedaxis, said assembly including means defining a passage in the basehaving an inlet in and surrounded by the coupling face of the base, anextension tube assembly interposed between and connecting the mixingblock and the combustion tube assembly, said extension tube assemblyhaving on one end a supplemental base and on its other end asupplemental block respectively formed with substantially planarcoupling faces mating with the coupling faces of the mixing block and ofthe mounting base in confronting relation to each, means interlockingthe mixing block and the supplemental base for facile separation andreconnection, means interlocking the supplemental block and the mountingbase for facile separation and reconnection, said supplemental base andsaid supplemental block being formed with connected passages andrespectively with inlet and outlet openings in and surrounded by theirrespective coupling faces, the inlet and outlet openings of thesupplemental base and the supplemental block being continuous with suchconnected passages and respectively registering with the mixing blockoutlet and the mounting base inlet automatically when the supplementalbase is so reconnected to the mixing block and the mounting base is soreconnected to the supplemental block for conduction of fuel received inthe chamber under pressure through the fluid passage of the mixingblock, through the extension tube assembly and into the mounting basepassage for such projection through the nozzle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS552,813 Brough Jan. 7, 1896 742,344 Myers Oct. 27, 1903 744,646 TietzNov. 17, 1903 1,082,619 Brasier Dec. 30, 1913 1,364,972 Andersone et alJan. ll, 1921 1,427,606 Leahy Aug. 29, 1922 1,481,573 Van Brunt Jan. 22,1924 2,416,964 Stull Mar. 4, 1947 2,473,435 Luzader June 14, 19492,604,114 Rogers et al July 22, 1952 2,794,447 Spitz June 4, 19572,809,101 Mitchell Oct. 8, 1957 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATEOF CORRECTION Patent No, 3,001 ,573 September 26, 1961 Robert H. Hunteret al.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patentrequiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read ascorrected below.

Column 2, line 61, for "of" read on column 6, line 60, for "previous"read previously column 8, line 68, for "susbtituting" read substituting,7 column 10, line 14, for "pasage" read passage -3 column 11 line 35,after "recess" insert said O-ring being axially confined between theelements, making one circular contact with the bottom of the recess line66, for "on" read in column 12, line 6, for "sourrounding" readsurrounding line 37, after "relative" insert to Signed and sealed this25th day of December 1962 (SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST w. SWIDER DAVID LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

